Hey. I'm back :) Told you (yeah, I didn't believe it either)! Life has been... pretty darn hectic again, especially where school and Christmas are concerned.
I wrote this and then a bit more but couldn't find another good end point so I thought "Hey, why don't I just upload this bit and then I have less to write for next week?" So I did. And here it is.
And yes, you heard (read) right. I am uploading next week. Merry Christmas, everybody! And on the subject of Christmas, wasn't Glee, Actually amazing? I have said no spoilers, so I shan't say anything particular about the episode here. All I shall say is that it was heartbreaking in some (most) parts, but it was such a good episode. Going in my favourites list, methinks.
I am currently on 7,432 views. I'm hoping to break 7,500 this side of midnight. I would love it if I could get to 8,000 by 2013, but I realise that may be an unrealistic ask. I can dream though, right?
And come on! Chapter title obvious much? But yes, chosen once again after I wrote it.
I hope you enjoy this (and I apologise for the insane length of my A/N... you'll see what I mean later).
Story so far..
Klaine were busy at the weekend preparing the Warblers for Nationals. Kurt had a heart-to-heart with Henry and Blaine made sure that Wayne's girlfriend and child were comfortable. After saying goodbye to everyone after lunch on Sunday, Klaine returned home.
-*T&C*-
Tears and Cookies had got back home on Sunday afternoon, too tired to do much. Blaine managed to find a jigsaw puzzle in the back of the hallway cupboard and had got it out for their Sunday Treat.
It may not seem special to most people, but the whole idea behind the Sunday Treat was for them to spend more time together amongst their busy schedules of Warblers and work. Even though they had spent the whole weekend together, Blaine still wanted to do something together, rather than just wasting the afternoon.
The jigsaw itself had been another Sunday Treat. They had had a photo taken at a studio and got it made into a jigsaw puzzle. It wasn't overly complex, at 750 pieces, but they just hadn't had the time to play with it since getting it done.
"Does this go here?"
"Blaine, that is my elbow, not your backside. Thank you very much."
The puppy turned the piece about in his paw. "Oh, yes, I can see that now. And I didn't mean that at all. You have gorgeous elbows."
Kurt raised one of his famous eyebrows. "And you have a gorgeous backside."
They continued putting pieces in for the most part in silence, occasionally correcting a piece with a tender "I don't think that's quite right."
By the time Kurt put the last piece in the sun was setting, casting a beautiful mixture of oranges and pinks across the sky. They lay for a few minutes, just looking at it and the puzzle they had just completed. Kurt had sat between Blaine's legs, facing him, both on the floor. They had cute expressions on their faces, just looking at each other.
The real-life Kurt and Blaine weren't sat too differently, apart from their eyes looked elsewhere; either at the puzzle or out the window. Kurt seemed peaceful, reflective. Blaine's mind was ticking over energetically. To him, the situation was almost perfect. A quiet evening with the man he loved, completing a puzzle. But there was something missing. As his eyes left the scene outside, he couldn't help but wish there were two more faces in the puzzle, two more pairs of hands scurrying to be the first to find the last outside edge, two more bodies lying still and silent afterwards.
It felt right to be thinking that. Blaine knew they were young but... he felt ready. And besides, wasn't it better to be closer in age to your children? To help them go through experiences that you only recently went through yourself? And why two Blaine had no idea. But he could almost see them. Two girls. No, a boy and a girl. Giggling softly. Bringing them happiness. Blaine closed his eyes to help himself imagine them more. Yes. The girl had black hair. It was young and playful and had natural loose waves like the curls in his own hair that he had hardly gelled down since Kurt's birthday. And the boy... hair colour similar to Kurt's own, and ever changing dependent on light. Same colour as Kurt's but... shorter. A bit more 'rough and ready'. And whenever his husband would try to give it some sort of order, the boy would run his fingers through it to mess it up again and then run away, laughing, from his father.
"Are you going to answer?"
Blaine blinked and the children were gone. "Sorry?"
Kurt sighed lovingly at his boyfriend. He pressed a short kiss to his cheek. "I said, do you want a takeaway tonight?"
Blaine nodded slowly. "Or we could go out."
Kurt shook his head and turned his nose up. "No, I'm too tired to start thinking about that."
There were another couple of minutes of silence. It was comfortable, wholesome. Even Bocelli stayed quiet and strangely reflective. Blaine tried to think about the children again but they just weren't there. They had hidden away, escaping from the sight of their father-to-be.
Blaine sighed and stood up. "You want me to go?"
"We haven't decided what we're having yet."
"Thai crispy mini rolls, chicken tod mun, fish gang keawan, shrimp gang garee (but not with too much sauce), pad seew, kimchi and two ca phe da. Oh, and banana raspberry sticky rice for two for afterwards."
"How..."
"We've been together for five years, Kurt. We don't have takeaway often, but I would hope I knew enough to know what you order." Blaine climbed to his feet.
"And if I changed my mind? Decided to be exotic for a change?"
Blaine smiled, raised a triangle and stuck his hand on his hip. "Really? 'I never want to try that again, Blaine. If I do, just remind me that I am exotic in my fashion choices so that I don't have to be exotic in my food choices.'"
Kurt giggled and hugged his knees, looking at the floor. "Oh yeah." His face scrunched up in concentration. "Summer 2013?"
"Summer 2013. I'll see you later." Blaine leant down to press a kiss on to Kurt's lips before leaving the lounge to put a jacket on and grab his wallet and keys. As he opened the door he yelled out "I love you" over his shoulder.
As soon as he heard the reply, "I love you too," he shut the door behind him.
So, wadaya think? Not my longest chapter ever, but short and sweet, yeah?
As I said up at the top, I shall be uploading next week (Christmas Day) and the week after (New Year's Day), all things considered (Mayan Apocalypse). If you're very good and leave lots of reviews I might even get you a present.
I know probably most of you will be wondering what on Earth Blaine ordered from the takeaway. I managed to find a gorgeous little Thai
restaurant/takeaway in Columbus, and a summary of what they ordered is below. They would have shared everything.
"Thai crispy mini rolls, chicken tod mun, fish gang keawan, shrimp gang garee (but not with too much sauce), tofu pad seew, kimchi times two and two ca phe da. Oh, and banana raspberry sticky rice for two for afterwards."
Appetizers:
Thai crispy mini rolls: Hand-rolled egg rolls filled with chicken & vegetables.
Chicken tod mun: Deep-fried Thai curry patties served with sweet chili sauce (chicken)
Mains:
Fish gang keawan: Green curry combined with coconut milk, Thai basil, green beans, onions, and bamboo shoots (fish)
Shrimp gang garee: Thai yellow curry with coconut cream, potatoes, and onions (shrimp) (not with too much sauce)
Noodles:
Tofu pad seew: Flat rice noodles pan-fried with sweet soy sauce, egg, and oriental broccoli (tofu)
Sides:
Kimchi: side of vegetables and seasonings
Drinks:
Ca phe da: Thai iced coffee
Dessert:
Banana raspberry stick rice: Sticky rice infused with coconut milk served with fresh raspberries & banana sprinkled with chopped peanuts
So there you have it. Sound nice? Please leave feedback on this; I really wasn't sure.
I want to thank everyone who has read this story, if you found me from the beginning or have discovered me just now. You have meant so much
to me for this past half a year. Because yes, that is how long I have now been uploading this. In a way it feels like nothing like that long. In another it feels like it has been years.
I love each and every one of you, but a few of you need your own shoutouts. If anyone else wants their name here in five chapters' time, send a message or review my way. I don't bite, promise!
IThinkILeftMyCoatOutside: Nothing I write is complete without a mention to you. You are the reason I started writing this, and why this has become so important to me. I couldn't've hoped for a better friend. You are my soulmate. I love you.
paddyofurniture: You are so damn special. I can't imagine my life without you anymore. We will meet. I know we will. Even if the world dies after 21st December, I will hop on the last plane to America to go out and visit you. My only regret is that school gets in the way so much and that I can't talk to you as often as I'd like to. You are my soul sister and I am blessed that I found you. I love you.
I-might-BE-slightly-INSANE: You are my rock. You're the constant that has been in my life for the past five years. I am sorry that I haven't been as kind to you as I should have been. You deserve more. Because you are one Totally Awesome person. I am beyond glad that I am friends with you. I love you.
GirlInTheBlueHoodie: Hello, my drama queen :) You have helped me through a lot more than you'd probably know. Your feedback on this story has given me the confidence that people outside Coatsy, paddy and Insane actually enjoy this. You can make me laugh and you make an excellent Gail ;) I love you.
DrUnderscore: I know you probably won't read this, especially as you haven't seen Glee yet (and by the way, I am over the moon that you have decided to watch it). But, if you do, just know that you are very important to me. You bring me happiness when I need it most and can make me laugh at just a single word. I never thought I would have something as great as our 'Triangle of Fucking Awesome' (thank you, Amy, darling) and I just regret not getting to know you sooner. Maybe it was the hair that scared me off ;) I love you.
IceCreamDoodle13: Hello there my cat loving friend ;) Again, I doubt if you will read this, but just know that you have done so much for me since meeting you in September. I thoroughly enjoy our letterpress games (especially the epic-ness of that first one) and can only apologise for my sickmindedness. I am sure that one day we will perfect the art of hugging. I love you.
Roxy and Joey: Woof. Woof woof woof. Woof woof, woof woof woof woof woof woof. Woof, woof woof woof, woof woof. Woof. I ruff you :)
AlexiaD99: I know you read the first chapter. Thank you so much for that. CPLT is amazing and I shall be so upset when it ends, but the journey it has taken me on has been well worth it. You are an amazing person and I thank you again for letting me beta one of your chapters. It was an absolute honour.
Kaaate: I found you! Honestly, I am so glad that NCS is over, and I apologise for the amounts of times that I came complaning to you about it. I hope it went well for you. I believe I shall see you again at the end of January?
borogroves: I haven't talked to you in so long. I apologise for that. As soon as this is uploaded I might drop you a message. I am still working my way through the brilliance that is Snapshots. School and SBL (which I FINALLY got yesterday) have kept me from reading on, but I cannot wait to get stuck in again.
singyourheartout287: I am sorry, it didn't like the .s in your name. I love your story so, so much. I Should Tell You is... a work of art. Seriously, it is fantastic. I know someone like you would never read any work of someone like me, but I needed to say just how incredible your writing is (yes, still better than Dalton, shoot me) and how kind you have been in your wonderful replies to my reviews. Thank you.
Summerdreamin: Thank you. Your messages always brought a smile to my face. I am disappointed that we aren't going to be able to meet this summer, and seeing Darren would have been a lovely bonus, but I hope you enjoy meeting him and that you continue to enjoy reading this story. I apologise for not contacting you in so long, but life has gotten in the way. I will get back in contact soon, I promise.
lostinthemoment125: Navigating the Unknown is pure brilliance. Please update more often! Four chapters isn't enough, do you not think? ;) Thank you for reading this story.
I will be here all day at this rate. I am so sorry, but all my named followers who I don't chat to as often, thank you to you too. That is 13xgreeniex13, 20eKUraN11, AspireWriter7, Curled Ribbons, DarkRose171, GleekFreak92, GleekyGirl11, KlaineCCriss3r, KlaineForever101, Meechely, Nani CW, OhLookAKlainebow, Pretty Little Glee Club, Sophia-Martelli, Whovian2.0, dcriss16, gleekforever8739, indyw, klaine65, kurtcoblaine-klainetrain, lindsaythecat, marloumau, naleybrucasjeytonforever, sevsdominatrix and sharion69. Please drop me a review so that I can get to know you better! A further thank you to all of you who have also favourited T&C, and also to Colfersexual490, DyingDickinson, Kelsey4591, Nonstop Klaine, bandlover12, emsylou1110, klaineosaurus, ltuzova27 and twilight1alice who have favourited this fic. Thank you also to jessysilva11, karatekid1018 and loverstar who have subscribed to me as an author (along with many of you who I have mentioned previously) and AnneCpc, HesNoGoodGirl and MagicNinjaUnicorn who (again along with previously mentioned people) have favourited me as an author. I only wish that I could name and thank every single one of my readers. And sorry to anyone's name to whom the formatting may not have been kind to.
The children here. I wrote this before the weekend, and then at the weekend I saw THE CUTEST LITTLE BOY EVER! I was going to change this boy, but then I didn't want to change him. And if that made sense to you, well done! I did, however, write a replacement bit which I ended up deciding against using. I will paste it below.
Blaine closed his eyes to help himself imagine them more. Yes. The girl had black hair. It was young and playful and had a Violet Incredible look about it; sleek and fabulous. And the boy... Blaine smiled. The boy had white blond hair. It was rather adorable. But even more adorable than that were the large, corkscrew curls in it. Each one was sprung with as much energy as Tigger's tail. It wasn't like Blaine's own crazy frizzy 'fro, but a lot younger, more playful. The cutest boy he ever saw.
Walking to school today I got a flash of songdrabble inspiration, once more breakup related. Maybe something in the New Year, methinks? When they get back together maybe? I uploaded one after they split, and another on the day before the next episode was aired, so maybe... I am thinking whilst writing my A/N. What am I like, eh? Oh, silly person!
Anyway. Half a year. Wow. I still have so many ideas for this story. I shan't be abandonning it any time soon, don't worry!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
I never feel like I do enough for charities. Sure, all my old stuff goes to Cancer Research and I am always in the charity shops in my town. But I want to just go up to collection pots and put money in. So, for every signed review I get for this story, I will donate 10p to a charity. If you have a favourite, please let me know in your review and I'll see what I can do. Let's see how much we can donate, eh?
I love you all so, so much. You mean the world to me, the absolute world.
I need to thank the incredible IThinkILeftMyCoatOutside for this chapter's buzz sentence. 'Three little birds sat on my window.' Go use it.
And, erm, sorry about the length of this A/N. Twice as long as the chapter itself! I promise this will change with my Christmas present to you all.